BILL NUMBER: SJR 2	CHAPTERED  08/24/99

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   86
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   AUGUST 24, 1999
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   AUGUST 16, 1999
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   JULY 12, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   JULY 12, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   MARCH 17, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Senators Alpert and O'Connell
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Alquist, Aroner, Bock, Cedillo,
Corbett, Cunneen, Davis, Dutra, Frusetta, Gallegos, Havice,
Hertzberg, Honda, Jackson, Keeley, Knox, Kuehl, Lempert, Longville,
Lowenthal, Machado, Maldonado, Mazzoni, Migden, Nakano, Reyes,
Romero, Scott, Shelley, Soto, Steinberg, Strom-Martin, Thomson,
Torlakson, Villaraigosa, Washington, Wayne, Wiggins, and Wildman)

                        JANUARY 7, 1999

   Senate Joint Resolution No. 2--Relative to offshore oil leases.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SJR 2, Alpert.  Offshore oil leases.
   This measure would memorialize President Clinton to extend the
moratorium on federal offshore leases to certain leases awarded prior
to the moratorium or to terminate those leases.




   WHEREAS, The history of offshore oil development in the State of
California has been one that has resulted in harm to the people of
the state and its natural resources and raised concerns that the
activity may produce additional harm; and
   WHEREAS, Outer continental shelf (OCS) development has resulted in
accidental oil spills, toxic gas releases, environmental pollution,
losses to commercial fishing, loss of public recreational
opportunities, loss of coastal access, and adverse impacts associated
with onshore ancillary facilities; and
   WHEREAS, Undeveloped federal offshore oil leases, awarded prior to
the moratorium on leases adopted by President Bush, and located
primarily off the coast of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo
Counties, could begin development within the next 5 to 10 years; and
   WHEREAS, Anticipated yield from these leases could be roughly one
billion barrels--an amount that could be equivalent to the total
amount of oil extracted off the California coast since drilling
began; and
   WHEREAS, These leases are not covered by the Bush Moratorium
recently extended by President Clinton, which only affects the sale
of new leases in federal waters; and
   WHEREAS, The California Coastal Sanctuary Act of 1994 exempts
areas that are being drained from adjacent federal lands; and
   WHEREAS, Accordingly, additional development on the OCS may lead
to new leasing and development within the state's jurisdiction as
well; and
   WHEREAS, This development could occur within state sanctuary
waters; and
   WHEREAS, Development of these leases may result in the need for
additional onshore support facilities as well as transport
infrastructure; and
   WHEREAS, These facilities and infrastructure could cause
additional environmental harm to local communities; and
   WHEREAS, Development of these leases is not in the best interests
of the State of California and may create substantial costs to the
state in the form of increased public health risks, air and water
pollution, environmental damage, visual blight, loss of tourism, loss
of fishing and recreational opportunities, increased risks of oil
spills, and adverse impacts on coastal access and land uses; now,
therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate and Assembly of the State of California,
jointly, That the Legislature respectfully memorializes President
Clinton to extend the moratorium to these leases or to terminate
these leases; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit a copy of this
resolution to President Clinton.
